Pages

Thursday, 5 January 2012

Happy New Ted

Firstly, a Happy New Year to you all. May it be good and stitchy.

We had our first 2012 meeting of the Beyond Stitch group and decided to do something just for fun so Jane W led us in a feltmaking class. We were making animals, using the single needle technique and it was great. I’ve only got a Ted Head so far, but I love him...My granddaughter knitted teddy heads to sell for a school charity project. She made them as bag charms and called them ‘Shrunken Teds’!

Betty made a Persian cat, with flat face and all the shading in the ears. Not a good pic but you get the idea...I have been to Eastleigh College to talk to Sue Chapman’s graduate class about making a living out of textiles. It was supposed to be based on setting up a business, and we did that as well but I think most people start by teaching, selling work etc. I posted about it on Facebook and the general consensus was that it is very hard and selling alone is not enough. I think I agree with that. Even if you are top flight and get taken up by a gallery, they take a huge commission so I can’t see how it works.

Excitement! The Lynda Monk free classes begin on 14th January and they are great. The first one has exciting ideas for rusting. I have never even thought of rusting tissue paper. What a clever girl she is. There are three classes and each one will be followed a week later by a project made using the technique. We will have a Flickr group (ta Wabbit) to chat and show photos. More details later so make sure you go to http://www.d4daisy.com/ and get the book...This is my first free day to go to the sales so I’m now dashing off to see if there is anything left.

A very happy New Year to you and Clive. How did your hand stand up to the single needle felting? You are right about making money out of textiles. One needs to have more than just gallery sales. They charge to have each piece exhibited then a HUGE commission if sold plus you have to attend at least one day to talk to the visitors. I have found that market selling is difficult these days so have cut my days to just one market one day each month for the last 3-months of the year. My main income (not much) is from teaching but you really have to make sure the students get value for money. I am really looking forward to Lynda Monk's free classes as I have been asked to submit 3-pieces for an exhibition (30% commission if sold)for the National Trust. I was thinking of something with rusted nails and drains etc in an old building so I am hoping the classes will give me some ideas.

A very happy New Year to you and Clive. How did your hand stand up to the single needle felting? You are right about making money out of textiles. One needs to have more than just gallery sales. They charge to have each piece exhibited then a HUGE commission if sold plus you have to attend at least one day to talk to the visitors. I have found that market selling is difficult these days so have cut my days to just one market one day each month for the last 3-months of the year. My main income (not much) is from teaching but you really have to make sure the students get value for money. I am really looking forward to Lynda Monk's free classes as I have been asked to submit 3-pieces for an exhibition (30% commission if sold)for the National Trust. I was thinking of something with rusted nails and drains etc in an old building so I am hoping the classes will give me some ideas.